This is the standard, um, revoltingly negative kind of story the Idaho Statesman is known for.

http://www.idahostatesman.com/sports/story/337538.html

My guarantee to you... if an NBA team buys the Stampede, it won't be to stay in Boise.

I don't buy that attendance average, BTW. Not one bit.

However, they do tend to cater to the courtsiders... probably why they're still in business.

panchess

04-01-2008, 08:07 AM

I didn't see this story as negative as all. Basically the Stampede ownership come across as fiscally prudent managers who have invested their money to provide a basketball team for the community without expecting to get their money back.

Buying a floor for the arena may not be a big deal to some, but I am sure it is to the Idaho ownership that scrimped and saved to do it. I miss the Stampede, and the other former CBA teams. They were all well-run organizations.

Getting back $800 from the airline? Smart management, but something none of the fans will ever see.

The Idaho Statesman, for instance, always goes to, say, real estate people when doing articles about mortgage issues, so there's always sunshine being blown up our collective posteriors by this publication.

So, when I see this:

The Stampede owners average about 60 years of age, Ilett said. He has tried to lure some younger investors, but he also says selling part of the franchise to an NBA team is a possibility.

"We have to self-perpetuate this with people who are younger," said Ilett, 63.

I'm asking you to read between the lines here. I don't see where additional money is really arriving here. I'm not buying the line about sponsorship growth... or at least I'm not buying that it's substantial.

Thing is, the stuff on the court is sweet.

I also think the comments on how Ilett goes over budgets line by line with Gates and other staff is educational- something that others should be looking at. I still think of Burrell Lee's "I just want to play ball" and shake my head. It takes a lot more work than that to be in this business, even for a coach.

jjbballfan

04-01-2008, 08:20 PM

Whats the deal with these owners saying that they don't make any money? Every owner says that minor league or professional yet leagues don't have problems getting owners to buy franchises.....

hoophead

04-07-2008, 12:04 PM

I'm afraid there's just too much competition dealing with Boise State and the other minor league teams. The attendance has been really disappointing; I mean, what more does this team need to do? Field a winner? Check. Local stars? Cory Violette and Roberto Bergersen, check. NBA quality players? Lance Allred and Randy Livingston, check. I agree with Pounder that the team is the city's to lose.

bdyer

04-07-2008, 12:45 PM

I don't think they are in that bad of shape.

Anaheim, Bakersfield and Colorado seem worse off from what I have seen.

jjbballfan

04-07-2008, 06:42 PM

Colorado I believe is owned by the same people that own the arena so I think they can take a little more then most teams.....

bdyer

04-08-2008, 07:52 AM

True enough, but their attendance outside of Friday and Saturday is close to nil.

Pounder

04-08-2008, 01:08 PM

I don't think they are in that bad of shape.

Anaheim, Bakersfield and Colorado seem worse off from what I have seen.

Team survival is not an issue of relativity in regards to the rest of the league. It's your own situation, including the lease, ownership, sponsorships, etc. Just because the attendance elsewhere might be worse doesn't mean they necessarily ARE worse.

However, I'd grant you that Bakersfield (certainly) and Anaheim (quite likely) have serious problems.

bdyer

04-08-2008, 10:52 PM

Team survival is not an issue of relativity in regards to the rest of the league. It's your own situation, including the lease, ownership, sponsorships, etc. Just because the attendance elsewhere might be worse doesn't mean they necessarily ARE worse.That's why I didn't include the SW Basketball teams. I think their overhead is much lower. Anaheim and Bakersfield have good sponsorship situations now, but they won't last forever if the seats aren't filled.